There are numerous ways to say “goodnight” in Spanish. Here are a few of the most common.

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Steps

Method 1 of 4: As a Greeting or a Farewell

1

Say “buenas noches.”[1] This is the standard, most straightforward way of saying “goodnight” in Spanish.

Noches is a feminine noun meaning nights.

Buenas is derived from the adjective bueno. In order to agree with the feminine and plural nature of noches, the -o is dropped and replaced with -as.

Unlike other adjectives, when used as part of a greeting or social expression, bueno and its various forms can be placed before the noun it modifies.[2]

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2

Note that there is no verb in this expression. As a result, the phrase does not changed based on who you say it to. Buenas noches can be used for individuals, groups of people, people you are familiar with, and people you are polite with.

3

Use this expression as both a greeting and a farewell. This expression serves a dual purpose. It can be used in place of the English greeting, “Good evening,” as well as the English farewell, “Goodnight", though it's mostly used as the second one.

Method 2 of 4: Wishing Someone a Good Night

1

Say "Que pases buenas noches." This roughly translates to “Have a good night.”

Que means that, and in this instance, is used to introduce the command that follows.

Pases comes from the verb pasar, which literally translates into to pass or to spend. A more literal translation of this phrase would be, "Pass a good night" or "Spend a good night."

Buenas noches literally translates into good night.

2

Alter the verb based on who you speak to. The way you conjugate the verb pasar in this phrase depends on who you are addressing.[3]

Use pases for the tú form, the familiar form of the single "you."

Use pase for the usted form, the polite form of the single "you."

Use paséis for the vosotros form, the familiar form of the multiple "you."

Use pasen for the ustedes form, the polite form of the multiple "you."

Note that this is subjunctive verb tense.

3

Alternatively, use "tener" instead of "pasar." Tener literally translates into to have. While it is less common than “Que pases buenas noches,” you could technically say “Que tengas buenas noches,” as well.[4]

Use tengas for the tú form.

Use tenga for the usted form.

Use tengáis for the vosotros form.

Use tengan for the ustedes form.

Method 3 of 4: Telling Someone to Sleep Well

1

State "Que duermas bien."This is a polite command used to tell someone, “Sleep well.”

Que introduces the command.

Duermas is derived from dormir, meaning to sleep.

Bien is an adjective meaning well.

2

Change the verb conjugation depending on who you say it to, and noticing that "dormir" is an irregular verb.[5]

Method 4 of 4: Wishing for Good Dreams

Dulces is the plural for "dulce", an adjective meaning sweet, and sueños is a noun meaning “dreams.

This phrase is usually only used for children and occasionally significant others. Due to the familiar nature of the phrase, the familiar conjugations tengas (singular) /"tengáis" (plural) are usually the only conjugations needed.

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